I wish ACA would hold a Convention in Memphis, Tn or at least one that's a couple of hours away... I wanted to come this year but It's way to far for me! IMO old time fish keepers are nicer than these new fish keepers!!! All of the Hard-core fish keepers that I meet who are younger end up being total A-Holes!!! But the Old Heads are always nice! #ImJustSaying
I'm Not Attending the ACA Convention in DC Because...
- Thread starter dogofwar
- Start date
I haven't justified the expense.... yet, but I'm still trying
. I think it would be great to head down to dc with a fistfull of cash and a few empty tanks waiting at home. Unfortunately, by the end of the summer I expect to have a pile of bills to pay and a bunch crowded growout tanks.
I also wouldn't mind picking a couple brains and putting a few faces to the various pseudonyms and screen names that people go by on the forums. Good fun all around!
As for pretentious hobbyists, it takes one to know one I suppose.
. I think it would be great to head down to dc with a fistfull of cash and a few empty tanks waiting at home. Unfortunately, by the end of the summer I expect to have a pile of bills to pay and a bunch crowded growout tanks.
I also wouldn't mind picking a couple brains and putting a few faces to the various pseudonyms and screen names that people go by on the forums. Good fun all around!
As for pretentious hobbyists, it takes one to know one I suppose.
You need to have one in Portland, OR... I believe we have the largest FW wholesaler on the west coast (the Cichlid exchange, owned by a long standing ACA member), the city is gorgeous and CHEAP--hotels are extremely reasonable, we have an international airport, no sales tax, etc etc.
Well I will be there and I mainly go to see the show fish, the vender room and all the fish for sale in the rooms. I don't get too involved in all the other stuff, just isn't my cup of tea but I do have a few members that I talk with and whatnot so its all good.
It is a LOOOOONG way from Australia, but I would be there in a minute if I could afford the air ticket. I have been to several native fish conventions in Australia and they are awesome. Have fun at ACA.
Cheers,
Ken.
Cheers,
Ken.
Portland's a really nice town...put together a bid 
I think that one of the issues is that unless a convention is in many folks' hometowns...or maybe within an hour or two, then traveling anywhere is too far / expensive.
The hotel for this convention is the Crowne Plaza in Downtown Silver Spring. It's a couple of blocks from DC Metro and a couple of Metro Stops from all of the sites in downtown DC (Smithsonian, etc.). We were able to secure a $99 per night rate for this hotel, which is a nice one. If you've ever tried to find a decent place near DC during tourist season, you'll realize that this is a really good deal. That said, if the convention hotel were $89 or $79 a night, would it change the ability / decision of folks' to attend?
DC is centrally located on the east coast and only a few hours drive from Ohio, where there are many cichlid hobbyists. Getting to DC from the Northeast, especially, is really inexpensive. Apart from driving, there are a variety of bus services that go between DC and NYC, Philly, etc. that are both comfortable and really reasonable...bring you to Union Station in DC...where you can hop on Metro and walk a couple blocks to the convention. Amtrak, MARC and other train services are there as well. There are 3 airports that service DC (DCA, IAD and BWI), two of which are served by Southwest. The same question as above: How low would transportation costs need to be in order for you to have the ability / decide to attend the convention?
Thanks,
Matt
I think that one of the issues is that unless a convention is in many folks' hometowns...or maybe within an hour or two, then traveling anywhere is too far / expensive.
The hotel for this convention is the Crowne Plaza in Downtown Silver Spring. It's a couple of blocks from DC Metro and a couple of Metro Stops from all of the sites in downtown DC (Smithsonian, etc.). We were able to secure a $99 per night rate for this hotel, which is a nice one. If you've ever tried to find a decent place near DC during tourist season, you'll realize that this is a really good deal. That said, if the convention hotel were $89 or $79 a night, would it change the ability / decision of folks' to attend?
DC is centrally located on the east coast and only a few hours drive from Ohio, where there are many cichlid hobbyists. Getting to DC from the Northeast, especially, is really inexpensive. Apart from driving, there are a variety of bus services that go between DC and NYC, Philly, etc. that are both comfortable and really reasonable...bring you to Union Station in DC...where you can hop on Metro and walk a couple blocks to the convention. Amtrak, MARC and other train services are there as well. There are 3 airports that service DC (DCA, IAD and BWI), two of which are served by Southwest. The same question as above: How low would transportation costs need to be in order for you to have the ability / decide to attend the convention?
Thanks,
Matt
we are driving from philly area friday morning,just a few hours ride,and will be driving back sunday night.
Carpooling and sharing a room is a great way to share the costs of something like this...
See you at the convention!
Matt
See you at the convention!
Matt
